Last Modified: Monday, September 9, 2013 at 11:53 p.m.

A small public part with a playground, such as this playground in Moundville shown in 2012, may be part of the new Northport fire station plans.

Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News

The Northport City Council on Monday approved a contract with Ward Scott Architects, which will design the project. The plan does not yet have an estimated cost. The project, if approved by the council, is expected to be funded through a $10 million bond the city plans to issue around February, said City Administrator Scott Collins.

“Ward Scott has done the majority of the design for the fire stations in Tuscaloosa and are the local experts in fire station design,” Collins told the council on Monday.

The city plans to buy a lot adjacent to its existing Fire Station No. 4, near Union Chapel Road, to construct the fire station. The new station will be larger and will also house the administrative offices for the Northport Fire Department, which has outgrown its current location at Fire Station No. 1, Collins said. Construction should begin next year, he said.

Once the new station is complete, the old station will be demolished and could be replaced with a “pocket park” for the community, including a playground.

“I think the idea of a park is great, it will be a big benefit to the community,” said City Councilman Rodney Sullivan.

Sullivan said it would be an attraction to have a park for school kids who could tour the fire station during field trips.

There’s also not many public playgrounds in the area, said Councilman Steve Acker, who represents the area.

“I think it’s a good idea, any parks like that that can coincide with construction,” he said.

“The idea of it I’m for, although I’m not sure about the cost.”

Other projects that might be financed through the bond issue include a new radio system for the Northport police and fire departments and the widening of Mitt Lary Road. The council has yet to officially vote on the bond issue.